Mina field hospital ready for pilgrims

The Mina field hospital of the Health Affairs department at the National Guard has been built with fiberglass material, which is resistant to fire and heat.
The hospital includes 40 fully equipped beds and emergency beds. It is also equipped with medical devices and clinical supplies, and operates around the clock. The total area of the hospital is 256 square meters, divided into a section for men and one for women. It also includes specialized clinics, supporting services, dental clinics and gynecology, in addition to an integrated operation room, reception and administration offices, laboratories, an X-ray room and a pharmacy.
The location provides lodging for the staff on an area of 208 square meters.
The Health Affairs department provided umbrellas against the burning sun for the comfort and convenience of patients with air conditioners and emergency backup generators.
CEO of the department Bandar bin Abdulmohsen Al-Qanawi said that the field of medical services represents a common factor between the health department at the National Guard and the other health agencies in the Kingdom.
“The coordination process includes our department, the agencies of the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Defense, the General Authority of Civil Aviation and the Ministry of Interior to provide the best services possible for the guests of Al-Rahman. These include medical evacuation operations. The National Guard has ten equipped teams on stand-by in case of emergencies,” said Al-Qanawi.
He pointed out the department is in constant coordination with the Civil Defense department to transport all patients whose health condition requires rapid intervention to King Abdulaziz Medical City in Jeddah.
“We coordinate also with the heads of Haj missions to provide all necessary medications, medical consultations and the other clinical supplies,” he said.
For this purpose, and a better cooperation between health affairs department and the Ministry of Health, a digital telephone line has been set up to link the information center at the Ministry of Health and the field hospital at Mina, in coordination with the Department of Information Systems and Informatics at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Jeddah.
The statistical system of the Ministry of Health, where all data on pathological cases and the services provided to the pilgrims are entered, will release special reports on the health status of the pilgrims.
He pointed out that equipped health camps would provide medical services in both Arafat and Muzdalifah as well.
“Two medical wagons were prepared to serve as an emergency centers at Arafat, one for men and the other for women. These can accommodate 20 beds,” he noted, adding that a team of doctors, pharmacists, technicians and administrators with the best Saudi qualifications will work around the clock to serve the pilgrims.